During the 2024 season, no Nationals prospect raised their stock more than 20 year old right handed pitcher Travis Sykora. While he was only a third round pick, the Nats gave Sykora a 2.6 million dollar bonus, more than double the 1.02 million dollar slot value. The Nationals braintrust was clearly high on Sykora, but his season went better than they even expected.
Sykora outclassed his low-A competition all season long. In 20 starts, he posted a 2.33 ERA in 85 innings. Even more impressive was his 129 strikeouts compared to only 27 walks this season.